Iowa announces legendary coach Hayden Fry passed away Tuesday
Iowa lost a big piece of its football family on Tuesday.
Hawkeye Football announced Tuesday evening that long-time coach Hayden Fry passed away at the age of 90 years old. Fry led the team from 1979-98 with 143 career wins and six bowl wins over his 20-year career.
Rest in peace Coach Hayden Fry. You will be forever missed.
Coach Fry passed away Tuesday, Dec. 17. He was 90 years old. pic.twitter.com/USN66D7Pfu
— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) December 18, 2019
Current head coach Kirk Ferentz succeeded Fry in 1999. Ferentz is the only coach in Hawkeye history with more seasons, games coached, and wins than Fry.
Ferentz responded to Fry’s passing:
"I was proud to coach with him and honored to succeed him when he retired. He’s been a great mentor and a true friend. I am forever grateful to him.
— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) December 18, 2019
In addition to his time at Iowa, Fry also was a head coach at SMU and North Texas State before coaching the Hawkeyes.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Fry family for their loss.